TTLA: A woman's adaptation to motherhood after giving birth.

Author's name: Nguyen Thi Chinh

Thesis title:A woman's adaptation to motherhood after giving birth.

Field of study of the thesis: Psychology

Major: Psychology Code: 62 31 04 01

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

- Research objectives of the thesis: To study the theory and survey the practical adaptation of postpartum women to the role of motherhood; thereby proposing socio-psychological measures to enhance the adaptation of postpartum women to the role of motherhood.

- Research subject of the thesis: Studying the manifestations and extent of adaptation to the role of motherhood in postpartum women and some factors influencing that adaptation.

2. Research methods used

This thesis employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including: document research, questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews, case studies, and data processing using mathematical statistics. The research sample consists of 312 postpartum women aged 0-12 months.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

The data showed that the mean adaptation score of PNSS ranged from 2.5 to 3.95 with a mean of 3.45 (SD = 0.28). The distribution of the mean adaptation score was a normal distribution, so the thesis divided PNSS into three groups at three different levels of adaptation (low, medium, high) to find the differences between these three groups. The results showed no significant differences in socio-demographic and socio-health characteristics (p>0.05), but there were differences in prenatal preparation, child characteristics, maternal satisfaction with the child, social support, and TCSS. The results of the typical psychological profile analysis further confirmed this finding.

The average scores for all three aspects of adaptation were at the "fairly adaptable" level, in descending order: Responsive behavior towards the target audience > Satisfaction with the target audience > Confidence in the target audience. The three aspects are strongly correlated with each other in a positive direction. Confidence in ability to influence has the strongest impact, while responsive behavior and satisfaction have equivalent effects on the average adaptation score to the target audience of the PNSS.

Of the 15 socio-demographic variables, only three—residential area, postpartum period, and number of births—affected adaptation to VTLM (Vegetarian Transplantation and Reproductive Care). Specifically, mothers living in urban areas, in the 3-6 month postpartum period, and giving birth for the first time showed higher adaptation levels compared to mothers living in rural areas, in the period before 3 months or after 6 months, and giving birth to subsequent children. Factors such as educational level and geographical location also impacted adaptation patterns. The remaining factors, such as occupation, social insurance coverage, child's sex, ethnicity, religion, and breastfeeding methods, showed no statistically significant differences in the level of adaptation to VTLM among postpartum women. Regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health characteristics, those who experienced more severe morning sickness during pregnancy, had more serious postpartum complications, or had too little/too much breast milk had lower adaptation rates compared to those who were healthy during pregnancy, had no postpartum complications, and had sufficient breast milk. When considering the psychosocial characteristics of the mothers, the results showed that mothers who actively participated in pregnancy, had more experience in childcare and childbirth, and had a good relationship with their own mothers had higher adaptation rates than mothers with unintended pregnancies, less experience, and poor relationships with their own mothers. Other factors such as personality traits and relationships with the mother-in-law did not show statistically significant differences in adaptation to the VTLM (Veterinary and Childbirth Management) of the pregnant women.

The seven influencing factors considered in this thesis include: child characteristics, mother's satisfaction with the child, prenatal preparation, support from others, conditions for motherhood, husband's involvement, and postpartum depression manifestations. All of these are correlated with adaptation to postpartum care for women. The strongest correlations are seen in child satisfaction, child characteristics, and conditions for motherhood. These are also the three strongest predictors of adaptation to postpartum care. Postpartum depression manifestations, husband's support, and support from others are not predictive of adaptation to postpartum care.

3.2. Conclusion

- Based on the chosen outcome-oriented approach to adaptation and the relationship of several social factors to the adaptation process to motherhood for postpartum women, the thesis has developed a definition of adaptation to postpartum motherhood as the process by which a woman overcomes the challenges of the postpartum period to achieve a state of balance with positive emotions, self-confidence, and behaviors that meet the functional (care, protection, development) and emotional (mother-child bonding) requirements of motherhood.

- The thesis described the current state of adaptation to motherhood among postpartum women and identified differences between groups of postpartum women at various levels of adaptation. Furthermore, the thesis explored the impact of factors influencing adaptation to motherhood and affirmed that psychological counseling is an intervention that helps postpartum women adapt better to their role as mothers.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Nguyễn Thị Chính

Thesis title:Women's maternal role adaptation in postpartum period.

Scientific branch of the thesis:

Major: Psychology Code: 62 31 04 01

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University

1. Purpose and subject

1.1. Thesispurpose:to study theoretical and practical aspects of women's maternal role adaptation in postpartum period, and recommend the psychosocial measures to enhance their adaptable capacity.

1.2. Thesisteacher:expressions and levels of women's maternal role adaptation in postpartum period and key factors affecting that process.

2.Researchmethod

Five methods are used including document research, questionnaires, interviews, case studies and data processing using mathematical statistics.

Research objects are 312 postpartum women in 0-12 months in Tuyen Quang and Hanoi city.

3.Major resultsandtablets

3.1.Major results

The statics have shown that the average score of postpartum women's adaptation oscillates from 2.5 to 3.95 with a standard score of 3.45 (the standard deviation of 0.28). The distribution of the average score of adaptation is a basic allocation so the thesis has divided postpartum women into 3 groups with different adaptation (low, medium, high) to distinguish these 3 groups. The result reveals that no differences are found in terms of social-demographic and health-social but there are distinctions about the preparation before childbirth, the characteristics of the child and the mother's satisfaction about the child, the social support and postpartum depression. An analysis result of a typical psychology has, again, confirmed this discovery.

The average score of these 3 expressions of adaptation reaches at “quite” in the order of the highest to the lowest: the behavior that meets motherhood > the satisfaction in motherhood > the confidence in motherhood. The three expressions are strongly correlated with each other in positive correlation. Meanwhile, the confidence in proficiency is the most powerful impact, responsive behavior and satisfaction are equivalent on the average score of postpartum women in motherhood.

In 15 socio-demographic variables, only 3 factors which are: the living area, postpartum time and the number of giving birth influence the adaptation to motherhood. Mothers living in urban areas, in period of 3 to 6 months after birth, with first born child, have higher level of adaptation then mothers living in the countryside, in period of 3 to 6 months before birth, with the 2^ndchild. child. Factors such as level of education, living area have impact on the expression of adaptation. Others like job, social insurance, child's gender, ethnicity, religion, how to breastfeed have no meaningful difference in the statistics on the level of adaptation to the role of the motherhood in postpartum women.About the health characteristics of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum, people who suffer from gestation during pregnancy, have worse postpartum complications or have too little/much breast milk, adapt more poorly than healthy mothers in pregnancy period , with no postpartum complications and enough breast milk for the baby. When considering the socio-psychological characteristics of the mothers, the result shows the active pregnant mothers have more experience in taking care of children as well as childbirth, a better relationship with their mother, higher level of adaptation than women with unexpected pregnancy, who have little experience and in a bad relationship with mother. The remaining factors such as personality traits, relationship with mother-in-law has no meaningful difference to the statistics of postpartum woman's adaptation to the role of being a mother.

Seven factors taken into account in this thesis are: characteristics of child, mother's satisfaction of child, the preparation before birth, the support from other people, the conditions for motherhood, the husband's sharing and the expression of postpartum depression are correlated with postpartum woman's adaptation to motherhood. Among them, the strongest correlations are the satisfaction of child, characteristics of child and conditions for motherhood. They are also the three strongest factors predicting postpartum woman's adaptation. The expression of postpartum depression, the husband's sharing and the support from other people cannot forecast woman's adaptation to motherhood.

3.2. Conclusion

- Based on the choice-oriented towards the result of the adaptation and the relationship of some social factors to the process of postpartum woman's adaptation to motherhood, thesis defines the adaptation to motherhood is the process which woman overcomes challenges of postpartum to achieve balance with positive emotions, gain confidence and behaviors meeting the requirements of motherhood in terms of function (care, protection, development) and feelings, emotions the attachment relationship between mother – child).

- Dissertation depicts the reality of postpartum women's adaptation to motherhood and discovers the differences between groups of postpartum women in different levels of adaptation. Furthermore, the thesis also finds out the extent impact of factors affecting the adaptation to motherhood and affirms that psychological consultation is an impact measure which helps postpartum woman to adapt to motherhood easier.